Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. scorches Tigers with 14-second inside park home run

From his first step out of the batter's box to his head-first slide home Saturday night, Kansas City Royals speedster Bobby Witt Jr. traversed the infield in 14.13 seconds.

Two batters into the game, Witt connected on a two-run inside-the-park home run, a grounder down the first-base line that skipped past Kerry Carpenter, who crashed into the foul-territory wall. The Detroit Tigers' right fielder lumbered to retrieve the loose ball as Witt scampered around the bases, easily beating the relay home.

Witt's fifth homer this season traveled 17 feet, but the two-run first inning proved to be the winning hit as the Royals secured a 5-1 win at Kauffman Stadium.

Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. connects on game-winning scamper

The injury-riddled Tigers' defense continues to falter, along with their offense. Already without ace Tarik Skubal (elbow), the Tigers entered Saturday with 12 players on the injured list. 

Will Carpenter make it 13? 

After crashing into the wall, Carpenter injured his left shoulder and departed the game.

Witt's inside-the-parker was the second of his career.

Carpenter was victimized both times on plays down the first-base line. On Aug. 20, 2023, Witt connected on a hard grounder that bounced off the wall and way from the right fielder. 

Witt collected the franchise's past two inside-the-park homers.